Job Description

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

UNDP responds to requests from countries to adapt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the SDGs at its core, to national sub-national and local conditions and realities, incorporating regional and global perspectives. It offers support to both national and local governments in localizing, mainstreaming, and accelerating the SDGs implementation as well as works to influence national policy making with a view to creating an enabling environment for action at local and regional levels.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director (DCD) and with technical oversight by the Asia Pacific Team Leader, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, the Development Specialist (Country Economist) will provide strategic high-quality economic and policy advice to facilitate the integration of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national development systems. S/he will collaborate with other programme colleagues in Country Office (CO) Indonesia and other COs in the region as well as staff of the Bangkok Regional Hub to exchange knowledge and share analysis to inform UNDP’s regional and global analysis and positioning on the 2030 Agenda. The Country Economist also works closely with Government counterparts to identify alternative macroeconomic policy options and to enhance the policy impact of UNDP projects and programmes. S/he will monitor economic policy developments and advises the Senior Management and other members of the UNDP and its partners on policy issues as well as contributes to UNDP’s policy dialogue with the Government and donors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Overall economic analysis and formulation of recommendations for policies that will contribute to the SDGs;

Contributing to leveraging financing for development, with particular emphasis on innovative financing

1. Overall economic analysis and formulation of recommendations for policies that will contribute to the SDGs :

Compilation, analysis and interpretation of economic and statistical data, thorough research of the economic and development issues in the country and production of relevant reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development;

Coordinating support to the production and launch of UNDP’s publications and reports, including Human Development Reports launches in the country as well as advocacy of the main Report findings among relevant Governmental agencies, civil society organizations and donors;

Policy advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals, Human Development and inclusive sustainable economic growth by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings;

Provision of analysis of the national development planning system, and provision of policy advice and support to effectively integrate the SDGs into national planning policies and processes;

Support the research for and compilation and preparation of speeches, talking points, presentation materials, background notes. etc. on the SDGs and related development issues for senior management at the country and regional levels;

Identification and analysis of issues that impact upon multiple SDG Goals and targets and the development of ‘accelerator interventions’ that help unlock sustained progress across multiple development areas;

Effective coordination on the provision of technical assistance to the programme and partners in consultation with implementing partners;

Expert analysis and policy advice in specific sectors of relevance in the focus countries including poverty, inequality, gender, environment, climate change, risk-informed development, urbanization, youth, demographics, conflict, jobs and livelihoods;

Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms for coordination, dialogue, and learning among stakeholders in each key sector, including effective contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned;

Participation in sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to economic development issues.

Training and capacity building support for UNDP staff and Government officials on economic issues.

2. Contributing to leveraging financing for development, with particular emphasis on innovative financing.

Develop and actively seek innovations to support the development of alternative financing schemes in the country.

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donor priorities;

Work with Policy Advisors in the Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development team, and other experts and resource people as required, to develop and pilot initiatives which contribute to the achievement of the SDGs;

Developing partnerships with private and government partners, at the city, district and national levels, so as to identify opportunities for domestic resources to be channelled for the achievment of SDGs;

Research and analysis of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situation to be used by stakeholders, CO and HQ;

Provision of analysis of the national fiscal and budget planning and implementation
COMPETENCIES

Functional Competencies:
1. Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

Analysis and creation of messages and strategies

Creates effective advocacy strategies

Contributes to the elaboration of advocacy strategies by identifying and prioritizing audiences and communication means

Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work

2. Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda.

Sensitizes UN Partners, donors and other international organizations to the UNDP’s strategic agenda, identifying areas for joint efforts.

Develops positive ties with civil society to build/strengthen UNDP’s mandate.

Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments.

3. Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches

Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

4. Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines

Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit

Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally

Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

5. Conceptual Innovation in the Provision of Technical Expertise

Developing innovative and creative approaches

Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes

6. Creating Visibility for UNDP/Supporting UNDP’s Capacity to Advocate

Developing promotional projects and organizational messages

Identifies and develops activities to enhance the visibility of UNDP

Develops promotional activities based on monitoring/evaluation information identifying areas requiring higher visibility

Reviews documents and materials intended for use within and outside the organization in order to ensure consistency and validity of messages

Creates and cultivates networks of partners to promote UNDP’s image

Conducts assessments of activities to improve impact and effectiveness

7. Client Orientation

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs

Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider

Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective

Core Competencies:
Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents

Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation

Building and promoting effective teams

Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication

Creating an emotionally intelligent organization

Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Master Degree in Economics or Development related fields.

Ph.D. in Economics or Development related field (Desirable)

Experience:
Minimum 10 years (8 years for Ph.D) of relevant professional experience, preferably in the field of economics and/ or development.

A proven track record in providing high-quality, development-relevant analysis and policy advice in areas such as development planning, public financial management, macroeconomics, microeconomics or poverty reduction.

Some knowledge and experience in green financing is preferred.

Some experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Prior experience in the Asia-Pacific region required. Experience in Indonesia’s or countries at similar levels of development would be an advantage

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Previous experience in the UN system (including with the programme planning system) is considered an asset

Language:
Written and spoken proficiency in English, and proven ability to produce high-quality written outputs in English.

Other Requirements:
Proven analytical skills and ability to conceptualize strategic intervention.

Familiarity with Indonesia socio and economics data.

Ability to conduct quantitative (and qualitative) analysis using Indonesia socio and economics data

Strong skills on gender and development research, analysis and writing policy and programme documents

Excellent understanding on crosscutting issues: gender, youth, disability, and ability to carry out analysis for policy formulation, program intervention, procedure, guidelines and tools.

A desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds;

Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills, writing ability and administrative skills.

Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Position Number: 00118989